Brazilian Slump
Tests da Silva
As Election Nears

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil's economy, buckling under high interest rates, contracted in the third quarter, delivering a blow to President Luiz In&aacute;cio Lula da Silva.

But analysts said the slump is likely to be temporary, and the economy will likely be back on its feet by the second quarter of next year, when Mr. da Silva will be keen to use economic growth to underpin his re-election bid.